What is reopening
Lake Saiful Malook in the Kaghan Valley is set to reopen to visitors as the Kaghan Development Authority (KDA) has started clearing heavy snow and glaciers from the access road after a six-month winter closure. The lake, located at a high altitude, remains inaccessible during winter because of heavy snowfall. With snow removal now under way, authorities expect tourists to regain access once the route is cleared.
KDA officials said several sections of the road from Naran to the lake are still blocked by large glaciers, which are being removed using heavy machinery. The road is expected to reopen for jeep traffic once the clearance work is completed.
The road work around it
Meanwhile, work is also in progress to restore the Kaghan Highway towards Babusar Top. Officials of the National Highway Authority (NHA) said the road is likely to reopen up to Battakundi in the coming days, while further restoration work towards Babusar Top will continue. The lake sits at the head of the Kaghan Valley above Naran, and the seasonal opening of the two routes is what makes the valley reachable for the summer tourist season.
Why it matters
Local residents and businesses have expressed optimism that the reopening of the lake and surrounding routes will mark the start of the tourism season and help revive economic activity in Naran and nearby areas. The lake is widely known for its scenic setting and clear waters, as well as its association with local folklore. The surrounding landscape, including views of Malika Parbat, attracts a large number of visitors each year during the summer.
Access to the valley closes each winter under snow, as covered in earlier KhabarWire reporting on snowfall across northern Pakistan, and the KDA clearance marks the first step in the seasonal reopening of the Naran road for the 2026 season.
Sources & reporting notes
This is a synthesis of published material, not eyewitness reporting. Sources were reviewed on 2026-04-25.
- Primary source — ProPakistani: "Lake Saiful Malook Set to Reopen After Winter Closure"25 April 2026 · Report on the KDA clearing snow and glaciers from the Naran road, the remaining glacier blockages, the expected reopening to jeep traffic, and the NHA's parallel restoration of the Kaghan Highway towards Babusar Top.
